Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 July 1887 — THE INDUSTRIAL REALM. [ARTICLE]

THE INDUSTRIAL REALM.

The “comprom se scale” has been signed by the joint cjmmittoo of the Amalgamated Association and the iron and steel manu 'acturers. The workmen secure an advance of 10 per cent, in wages, but concede the “extras” demanded by the association. This action averts the danger of a geueral strike or lockout in the iron and steel industries during the next twelve months. General Master Workman Powdeelv at Philadelphia, on Thursday, detailed facts concerning child labor gleaned from his long residence in tho coal reglon. He showed how (he children whose education was neglected, as they grew into manhood, would naturally gravitate into the Knights of Labor illiterate, ignorant, and devoid of intelligence.

“These are the men,' continued Mr. Powderlv, “that the Knights of Labor have to deal with, and if possible mold into something better. Men who can not read when charges of corruption are made can be led hither and thither by any one who may be an enemy of the officials, simply because they cannot add up a column of figures. The ignorance of many of the Knights is what causes much of the trouble in locals, but it does not end here. It makes the men the tool of the unscrupulous demagogue and places them under influences that bring about a state of affairs worse than anarchy.” Mr. Powderly’s face brightened with hop?, but it darkened again as he said: But there is one question that the American people must take up that locally concerns the workingman. It is or will become the burning question of the day—an issue which will exoe* all others In importance—and that question is the problem of the great, unceasing flood of immigration from old Europe. I am utterly opposed to all forms of pauper immigration, and to a great deal of immigration pure and simple. I think a halt should be called on immigration until this nation can consider what it is doing in allowing these nationalities to enter here and become a burden qp our country and a menace to the American home. As a ruling to decide who should be excluded I would make it an almost inflexible rule that a man or woman who could not sustain himself or herself and their respective families for one year should not be allowed to land.